Hello
I began building the Astro Hog a few months ago. I just finished the fuse and mated the wing to the fuse by drilling holes for the dowels. I thought I had followed the plans strickly until I mated the wings. I noticed that on one side of the fuse where it meets the wing it does not butt against that former leaving a 1/4 inch gap. If I buttted it the wing would be crooked and not line up with the back of the fuse. Is this a concern? I am not sure if I installed the dowells incorrectly or if the fuse is just not straight. Will it fly inncorrectly? Thanks for any help.

This is really not that big of a deal as long as the dowel is long enough to go into the hole.
What is important is to make sure the final wing mounting is as square to the fuselage as possible.
You will need to collect some information, this is just so you will know where the problem originated from, it won't affect what you need to do to fix it (unless you intend to tear the plane apart which is not necessary).
Get a small square and see if the former where the wing dowels mate is square to the fuselage on both sides.
Check the former at the back of the wing saddle too.
Check to see if the leading edge of the wing is straight. Maybe the leading edge was sanded more on one side than the other or when the wing halves were joined there is a small misalignment.

Using the center of the back edge of the fuselage as your reference set the wing in the wing saddle (dowels in the holes) and adjust the wing so the trailing edge of eacc wing tip is equal distance from the reference.
This will align the wing to be 'square' to the fuselage.
You will now drill the wing bolt holes so this alignment is maintained.

If the gaps (where ever they may be at this time) bother you, just glue in some scrap balsa and sand as required.

I would make sure the fuse is straight. If not it will cause the vertical fin to be out of alignment and would need alot of trim to fly. If the fuse is straight then what I would do is make sure each wingtip is the same distance from the rear of the fuse and bolt it down there. 1/4" gap doesn't sound like much and probably is not for some people, especially on a repaired plane, but for some reason I like to make sure all of the measurements are within a few millimeters. A straight plane flys better. Also a couple of pics would help diagnose the problem.

I will take new measurements and see where the problem is. Thanks for the advice.

I want to thank you for the advice. I fix the problem and dowells were the culprit. She is looking good.

Glad you were able to fix it without to much trouble.
I hope you enjoy your Astro Hog as much as I enjoy mine.

She is done and ready to fly hopefully this weekend. She has a Saito 82a and 2.4 Futaba FASST.Thanks for the comments and help.

Nice Job!

Come back after the first flight and show us that great big ol grin on your face.
Don't be afraid to to increase the throws especially on the ailerons.
When you get to much (or just enough depending on what you like) on the elevator it will snap out of a loop.

Richard,

Nice looking Hog. I'm a bit behind you on my
build. I noticed you went with the tail dragger
version also, did you use the wire gear that came
in the Kit ?? I'm going with a similar scheme, white
with red wing tips. Also what size Saito is that ??

Bob

looks good but just wondering if this is your first plane based upon your original question about wing alignment. If first plane it is not a beginners plane so consider that before flying. It is a great aircraft though I had one about 30 years ago on reeds. Good luck with it.

Bob I orderedd different hardware for the landing gear Idid not use the ones that it came with. The instructions tells you what and where to order them. It is a Saito 82a. Nice job

Charlie I will give it a try. Thanks for the help.

Tedmo this is my 1st kit in 20 years. Built 2 in the 80's. Have been flying solo for past year but the lead instructor at the filed usually takes my new planes up for the first and trims them for me. Have not had any major crashes. Thanks

Richard,


I just knew you where going to say that is
a Saito 82. I have one on my GP 40 Stick
and love it. I've had a new K&B 61 for 23
years that I was planning on putting in the
Hog. I took a 22 year break also. I went
out this morning and mounted it on the
bench. Broke my manual fuel pump in the
process of filling, but did get a 1/4 tanks worth
in before it stripped the gears (pump).

I checked the original glow plug and it was as
good to go. Primed the engine and on the 5th
flip she purred to life. This was the first run of
this old/new engine. Now i'll have to order a new
pump to continue the break in. There's no LHS
in my neck of the woods. As for the landing gear
I was planning on using Dubro's on the fuse. I did
how ever install the blocks in the wings for the
TD version, should I change my mind

Here is the gear i'm leaning toward on my Stick.


Bob

Tha is nice like the wheels. I agree I broke the Saito in last weekend and it satrts on the first flip. I only got 8 minutes of running time with 12oz tank. I am hoping when she is leanned out a bit the flying time will increase. Good luck

I set my timer for 8 minutes and have some fuel
left when I land. Everyone at the field says I should
get 10 or more minutes out of 12 oz. tank. Mine has
just over a gallon of fuel run through it and KOW no
dead sticks todate. How's she fly with the 82 ?

Bob

Bob
I have not flown her yet hopefully this weekend but I ran the engine on the club's table and she ran for 8 minutes on 12oz tank at 8900 rpms and super rich. Has 4 tanks through it. Was wondering if I should install a 14oz. Will let you how she flies soon.
Rich

Richard,

Please let me know. In the air the prop
will un load, you should see better run times.

Bob